Endophytes, microorganisms that colonize internal tissues of all plant species, create a huge biodiversity with yet unknown novel natural products, presumed to push forward the frontiers of drug discovery. Next to the clinically acknowledged antineoplastic agent, paclitaxel, endophyte research has yielded potential drug lead compounds with antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, insulin mimetic, anti-neurodegenerative and immunosuppressant properties. Furthermore, while being implicated in livestock neurotoxicosis, some endophyte-produced alkaloids have been shown to display insecticidal activity. The endophyte-host relationship is postulated to be a ‘balanced antagonism’. Moreover, the plausibility of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) hypothesis is taken into account. Knowledge of the genetic background of endophytic natural product biosynthesis is discussed on the basis of loline alkaloids, ergopeptines, lolitrems and maytansinoids. The current dynamic progress in genomics will contribute to a better understanding of endophytic microbes and to further exploiting them as a source of pharmaceutically relevant compounds.

ColoPulse tablets are an innovative development in the field of oral dosage forms characterized by a distal ileum and colon-specific release. Previous studies in humans showed release in the ileo-colonic region, but the relationship between gastrointestinal pH and release was not experimentally proven in vivo. This information will complete the in vivo release-profile of ColoPulse tablets. Release from ColoPulse tablets was studied in 16 healthy volunteers using the dual label isotope strategy. To determine gastrointestinal pH profiles and transit times the IntelliCap system was used. A ColoPulse tablet containing ¹³C-urea and an uncoated, immediate release tablet containing ¹⁵N₂-urea were taken simultaneously followed by a standardized breakfast after three hours. Five minutes after intake of the tablets the IntelliCap capsule was swallowed and pH was measured until excretion in the feces. Breath and urine samples were collected for isotope analysis. Full analysis could be performed in 12 subjects. Median bioavailability of ¹³C -urea was 82% (95% CI 74–94%, range 61–114%). The median lag time (5% release of ¹³C) was 5:42 h (95% CI 5:18–6:18 h, range 2:36–6:36 h,) There was no statistically significant difference between lag time based on isotope signal and colon arrival time (CAT) based on pH (median 5:42 vs 5:31 h p = 0.903). In all subjects an intestinal pH value of 7.0 was reached before release of ¹³C from the ColoPulse tablet occurred. From the combined data from the IntelliCap system and the ¹³C -isotope signal it can be concluded that release from a ColoPulse tablet in vivo is not related to transit times but occurs in the ileo-colonic region after pH 7.0 is reached. This supports our earlier findings and confirms that the ColoPulse system is a promising delivery system for targeting the distal ileum and colon. ISRCTN Registry 18301880